Save the Children has launched its first digital innovation challenge in Kenya targeting Kenya’s youth and students from institutions of higher learning.
The innovation challenge offers an opportunity for 18- to 35-year-olds to come up with unique digital solutions to organizational level feedback mechanisms, scientific or indigenous technology for strengthening community resilience and access to quality education for children born to nomads, out-of-school children, and boys and girls in informal settlements in Kenya.
The youth are required to submit a digital solution that addresses any of the challenges indicated or a prototype of a digital solution that addresses the same.
The challenge aims at recognizing and awarding youth who are innovative in tackling problems that are facing children and young people in the communities. Registered students from tertiary institutions – universities, technical and vocational education training (TVET) institutions, and Kenyan youth (18-35 years) are encouraged to participate in this innovation challenge.
Save the Children has prioritized digital transformation in all its interventions and is considered an enabler of our 2022-2024 Global Strategy and our 2030 ambition to ensure children survive, learn, and are protected.
The winners of the challenge stand a chance of winning up to half a million shillings. Apart from the cash prize, the winners also have a chance to collaborate with Save the Children to customize and scale up the digital innovation or get a 12-month fellowship program to develop and implement the solution further.
The winner will be announced in March 2023.
Quotes
“We are very passionate about young people and the unique ideas they have, to solve current world challenges. This innovation challenge has the potential to tap into innovative solutions for everyday problems that affect our country from young people in Kenya. We understand that the youth have remarkable ideas and want to work with them to bring these ideas to life,” said Yvonne Arunga, Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar Country Director.
“Digital transformation is important for us as it helps enhance the quality and reach of our programs, strengthen our capability to measure progress, enhance the efficiency of our operations and better protect children and address inequalities in access to digital technology. I want to urge young people who are interested in joining this challenge to submit their digital solutions or prototypes before the 31st of January,” said Hellen Owiti, Director of Program Development and Quality at Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar.
“The evaluation of submissions shall be guided with the following indicators: originality, creativity, viability, impact and conformance to the principles of digital development. I invite Kenyan youth interested in solution-based developments in the areas listed to take up this challenge and showcase their brilliant ideas,” said Hellen Owiti, Programme Development and Quality Director, Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar.
